Gisela Birkemeyer

Gisela Birkemeyer (née Köhler, 22 December 1931 – 26 March 2024) was a German hurdler and sprinter who won two medals in the 80 m hurdles at the 1956 and 1960 Olympics. During her career she set nine world records in the 80 m hurdles and in the 4 × 100 m, 4 × 110 yd and 4 × 200 m relays. She won 40 East German championships, mostly in the 80 m hurdles (1953–1961) and 200 m sprint (1956–1960).^[1] At the European Championships in Stockholm in 1958, she was third in the 80 m hurdles. In 1959, she was voted GDR Sportswoman of the Year.^[2]

Gisela Birkemeyer

Gisela Birkemeyer in 1960
Personal information
Birth name	Gisela Köhler
Nationality	German
Born	(1931-12-22)22 December 1931 Fasendorf, Germany
Died	26 March 2024(2024-03-26) (aged 92) Berlin, Germany
Height	1.62 m (5 ft 4 in)
Weight	60 kg (132 lb)
Sport
Sport	Sprint running, hurdles
Club	SC Dynamo Berlin
Medal record Representing  Germany Olympic Games 1956 Melbourne 80 m hurdles 1960 Rome 80 m hurdles European Athletics Championships 1958 Stockholm 80 m hurdles

Earlier in 1957 she married Heinz Birkemeyer and from 1960 competed under his name. After retiring from competitions she worked as a coach.^[2] Birkemeyer later lived as a pensioner in Berlin Marzahn.^[3] She died in Berlin on 26 March 2024, at the age of 92.^[4]